The Ripple Effect

2015

In 2013, there was Hidden Cultures. 2014 came with One World. Now, in 2015, BMYC presents to you The Ripple Effect:Not Your Stereotypical Conference.

Purpose

While BMYC’s past events, Hidden Cultures and One World both had the purpose of exposing youth to different cultures and lifestyles with the intent of cultural appreciation, The Ripple Effect will focus on a more serious issue, but one that needs to be addressed: indirect racism.

Most people are aware of racism and its consequences, and in today’s progressing society, direct forms of it are rarely seen. However, subtle forms of racism - that can easily be overlooked or brushed off - are still present in society. This is where we believe the problem lies. All it takes is a comment about a culture, through a perspective that does not fully understand that culture, for a ripple effect to be created. One comment can go on to become a stereotype, which can then become widespread perception of the culture. While stereotypes can be good or bad, they are not the entire truth, and it is important for people to understand that before they make judgements about any cultures. Once a perception of a culture is created, it is very difficult to change, but all it takes is the willingness to learn about the culture and the people in it. Something that we like to call embracement.

The Ripple Effect is an interactive conference that will aim to get all of these ideas across through engaging activities and speakers. You can look forward to a day of fun, meeting new people, learning new things, and hopefully, leaving with a new perspective on embracing other cultures!

The Details

Speakers

TAAHA MUHAMMAD

Taaha Muhammad is a first-year Bachelor of Health Sciences student at McMaster University who loves to write, talk, and motivate people to do their best. He is currently the Publicity and Multimedia Coordinator for McMaster’s Interprofessional Student Collaborative and Registration Coordinator for MIST Toronto – an annual interscholastic tournament for high school students in the GTA. He loves working with people and practicing effective communication. As a former DECA President, he also has a knack for networking and entrepreneurship. Taaha also enjoys doing photography and honing his French skills with any French-speaking people he encounters.

JASPREET KHELA

Mr.Khela's vision of making positive change in anything that captures his interest is stronger then ever. In particular, his future aspirations include performing research in the STEM fields, engaging in entrepreneurship, as well as advocating for humans rights. Excellence is what Mr.Khela aspires to and self-improvement is what he strive for. The message that resonates in his mind is the virtue of patience and dedication to one’s craft; the adversity in his life has stretched his creativity, imagination, and willingness to shoot for the stars in mhis endeavours. Mr.Khela's altruistic mindset is what motivates him to change the world.

LAURA SUEN

Laura Suen is Chinese-Canadian physicist, gamer and science journalist who was the youngest contestant to compete on Discovery Channel's Canada's Greatest Know-It-All. She has also appeared on George Strombo's Tonight and CBC's Canada's Smartest Person, where she placed second overall and gained the title of Canada's smartest woman. Laura spends her free time volunteering and promoting an interest in leadership and science among youth

NAVDEEP BAINS

Navdeep Bains is presently a distinguished visiting professor at Ryerson University – Ted Rogers School of Management and holds an MBA with a specialization in Finance. As a Certified Management Accountant, he has worked several years in accounting and financial analysis for the Ford Motor Company of Canada. Navdeep is a longtime resident of both Mississauga and Brampton and has strong ties to the social and cultural associations of Mississauga—Malton. Navdeep has been active in a variety of community organizations, as a board member for the Mississauga Food Bank, having worked with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Guru Gobind Singh Children’s Foundation, as well as having served as an Ontario board member with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. He is the recipient of a number of awards recognizing his work in promoting diversity within his community.